LET TER FROM THE EDITOR One things I never tired of we is being to Julyofisthe here at last andget although tookable a month share with youthat all of things we’re doing for off, we feel in the thisamazing issue we come back the community liveOne in. While hope thatwas onethat day stronger than we ever. thingwe I realized we’ll be able to touch the world in the same way, for by shedding the negativity in life, you can really now what givesAnd us hope for a new tomorrow. see this the issunshine. it’s shining bright!
LILLY BABINEAU/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Each day, the break currentoff, outlets portray women In this little we created Braided omedia with impossible standards. Everyone needs to haveIta is Hearts—a beautiful organization for women. perfect body, perfect skin, a perfect life in order to be a peer counselling effort for women who are considered beautiful. And crisis, don’t get wrong, there’s dealing with emotional butmealso for women absolutely nothing wrong with the way those girls look. safety, and a chance for women with low self-esNot at all. okay to be atosize zero, but it’s also okay to teem andIt’sconfidence participate in activities to be bigger too.things back up. We’re going to begin build those fundraising for it, starting with the next talking One thing that a lot of people get confused by with point! Pinkblitz and with other things in general, is hating on one size, pitting one type of woman against other. Pinkblitz presents the “Fall In Love withthe Fashion” What I want to say is that just as29th, wrong to tell a thin Fashion Showcase on it’s August 2015 from person to ‘eat a cheeseburger’ as it is to tell a bigger girl 6pm to 10pm at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Moncto ‘eatNB. a salad’ . ton, Profits from this will be going towards Braided Hearts so that we can begin helping the We want to you happy, healthy and communities safe, and so we women in keep our community and other give you tips how to stay We also wantfrom to around us. on Stay tuned forhealthy. more great news help you become the amazing women you were meant this on our Facebook Pages for Pinkblitz MagaMaga to be. We have such hopes for all of you, and we zine and Braided Hearts Organization for know you have it in you to be great! Women. Each issue that we’ve comes out, wesome only strive to helpWe’ve you In this issue, made changes. live the best life you can. We love you, readers. You combined Fashion & Beauty, brought back ourare what makearticles us who we You are the only important amazing on are. Relationships & Sex, and thing for us. expanded our Wellness section to include more great information! #Summer2015 is going to Stay beautiful, andinstay you!aspect! prove amazing every Stay lovely, readers!
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“A Lady in Wild”
Photo Editorial shot by Photographer Erika Seward. Model Kimberly Ann McQuaid.
Dating back to as far as the early 1900, rompers were primarily used as children’s clothing. They were appreciated mostly for their ease and for the movement allowance they gave. Rompers quickly became very popular playwear for children and babies. It’s only in the 1950s that women started wearing them as leisure and beach wear. Throughout the following years, rompers have known a fluctuation in demand for women fashion items, although they never disappeared entirely. Their reputation had been laying low for quite some time when they regained a little popularity in 2006. Several designers included romper pieces in their spring fashion collection, and major retailers, such as American Apparel and Urban outfitters, started carrying a variety of rompers. Summer of 2011 provided the romper with a well-deserved summer revival, and again, they regained our closets and filled our retail stores. There are multiple ways to wear a romper, they can be worn for numerous occasions, and their
status can be alternated with the help of the right accessories. One of the primary eye-catching tendencies of romper fans is the focus put on the central piece. If the romper has an imposing pattern (making it the central piece), it is preferable to keep the jewelry to a minimum, and any added garment should be of plane colour, avoid mixing conflicting patterns. If the romper is of one consistent color, spice up the ensemble with original jewelry, belts, shoes and purses (they will become the central piece), playing with color and texture will give personality to a specific look. Many different styles can be achieved by wearing a romper, the color mixing and accessorizing will play the biggest part on achieving a specific look. The slacker-style is as simple as pairing a romper with
a pair of sneakers (ex. converse), a loose-fitting cardigan and a tote bag. You can attain the indie-bohemian look by manipulating colors and shapes, adding stylish sandals, shalls, bangles and the like, and pairing them with an edgy romper. If you prefer a more glamour look, opt for bulky jewelry, nice heels, an elegant bag, and optionally adding a hat to top off the outfit. Rompers are enjoyed for their casual quality as well as for their comfort. They are easy to dress up or down and are very versatile. You can throw them on when you’re in a hurry or even when you just don’t feel like putting much effort or time into your outfit one day. It is quickly becoming a must-have item for every closet this summer, so go ahead, treat yourself to comfort with a romper.
Photos courtesy of www.cuppajyo.com
Converse on Converse By Sarah Racicot
Converses are part of the renowned shoes loved by everyone, most of us either own or have owned a pair at some point in our lives, they may be dusted up in the back of your closet, but parting from them is almost impossible. Even –and especially- the most hardened fashionistas own a pair. The Converse shoe is also known under the names One Star, Chuck Taylor All Star, and Jack Purcell. They are unique and can easily be distinguished from their imitative competitors by its Star Insignia on the ankles. The shoe fashion universe is an ever-changing industry, and no sneaker company has ruled it for longer than the converse. It is the first and only shoe design to have lasted over 100 years while still maintaining its fame and status. In 1966, Converse retained an impressive 80 percent share of the US sneaker market, and 90 percent of college and professional basketball players wore them. In 2012 alone, Converse sold $450 million in Chucks, which rounds up to an approximate of one pair sold every 43 seconds. In their peak, they designed 500 different versions of the Chuck Taylor sneakers. Although the company was set up in 1908, Converse only started producing basketball sneakers in 1917, and only got famous in 1921 when Chuck Taylor, basketball icon, started working as a promotion agent for them. The golden years for Converse were from the 1950s to the 1990s, when they made the leap from athletic wear to fashion articles. They became choice accessories for punk-rockers and all grunge styles. The spur only grew as celebrities like James Dean, Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder wore them on stage and TV. Today, celebs such as Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Jennifer Aniston, Katy Perry, and even Michelle Obama are spotted daily wearing their converses. Actresses Drew Barrymore and Kristen Stewart even flaunted theirs on
the red carpet! Chucks give every outfit a casual finish, they can be worn with virtually anything; short or long dresses and skirts, shorts, capris, and jeans (try with rips too). Wear them with a cute dress and blazer, or with a band shirt, shorts, and tights. Play with color by wearing an even colored outfit with some bright-colored chucks! Even after all these years, converses have never lost their popularity and versatility. They are destined to remain must-haves for years to come.
Photo courtesy of www.rachelslookbook.com
When it comes to patterns, designers are taking a geometric approach this season. From horizontal, to vertical, diagonal, dashes to zigzags, stripes are all over the runways. For summer, there’s only one rule of thumb… more is more. So, mix, match and pile it on with pizazz. Clashing colors? Who awesome! Outrageous print medleys? Yeah! It’s only a matter of time until the stripes get you!
to incorporate fire engine red into your wardrobe? Have it pop up on a beige, white or black backdrop and suddenly it doesn’t seem so scary! The debate about whether or not horizontal stripes make you look larger is wrong! Actually in the 19th century a German doctor by the name of, Dr. Thompson showed people pairs of drawings, each set showed line drawings of identical women, one wearing horizontal stripes, the other wearing vertical ones. Participants were asked to judge which of the women was fatter. He discovered that horizontal stripes made people believe the woman looked thinner, not larger.
Let’s face it stripes are never a bad idea, they never TRULY go away, but this season they are white hot. Stripes are being used as a neutral plate this season, mixing them with other stripes, just remember to mix the weights of the stripes. If you go with a slim petite striped pant and a top of the same weight you are probably going to be looking like you got Basically everything considered, stripes are your dressed in the dark, however mixing a small stripe friends! Don’t be afraid of them, embrace them and with a larger bold stripe its looks intentional. enjoy your wild stripped journey! Stripes are also a great way to incorporate color into your wardrobe if that’s something you have been hesitant towards in the past. Have you been dying
Platform Wedges By Kiki Landry Wedges can range from casual to elegant with all types of styles and heights. They are very versatile and stylish but they won’t look good on everyone or with every outfit, like any shoe they have pros and cons. Some pros are that they look great with almost every length of skirt or dress, by nature they are a fashionable choice with worldly eye catching styles and heights. Plus if you are having a “bloated” day, Wedges make heavy ankles look thinner! I KNOW RIGHT! Great news! But unfortunately, like all other shoes they have their pitfalls. They work best on the casual side of your life, but finding a truly elegant wedge can be a bit difficult. And if you already have thin ankles they will appear much thinner which is not necessarily the best and they can end up looking “clunky” when paired with tight clothing. Be careful when wearing wedges with pencil skirts, Capri-pants, and narrow or straight legged pants. Some wedges look hot and sexy when paired with Maxi skirts, some jumpsuits, shorts, short skirts, bohemian styles, thin fabrics, wrap dresses wide/flared legged jeans and Gauchos. Don’t be shy to try some wedges into your everyday look, just remember to try a few on to find the proper wedge for you!
Finding earrings that suit your face shape can be hard to do. Some may end up seeming too big and heavy or too small and just not the right shape. I have done some research and found out why not all earrings look good on everyone. Here are some simple things to keep in mind for your face shape. If you have a Diamond shaped face you want to be careful not to wear top heavy earrings or long thin styles, instead try teardrop shaped earrings where it is wider at the bottom and thinner on the top. Small hoops and danglers look great! Anything close to the ears like studs look gorgeous! Always avoid earrings that have the same shape as your face; you will want to balance your chin by having them hang away from your face. The Inverted Triangle shape is similar to the triangle shaped, you always want to wear earrings opposite of your face shape, i.e. Inverted triangle would wear triangle shaped and tear drops and triangle shaped faces will do the opposite. People that have Heart shaped faces have a tapered chin and wider cheek bones and sometimes have an angular jaw, so with this we want to balance the shape of your face. Your best bet is to avoid earrings that taper at the bottom and studs. Teardrops are your best
friend! Square shaped faces should always avoid “boxy” like earings so always go for those gorgeous dangling earrings with dimension and odd shapes! Try some teardrops or some studs as well they will also help you look less “boxy” and more “foxy”! With having a Rectangular shaped face you want to use ovals, teardrops, hoops of all sizes and styles, squares, etc.. they all look wonderful on this face shape! Just avoid the funky angled ones and danglies that hang below your chin and also avoid long skinny earrings. Oblong is the rarest of face shapes, not many have this shape and its quite similar to Rectangle except the face is longer, more narrow, and the jaw is rounded. So instead of a linear or long drape earring, chose showy studs, or go for a button or rounded style to draw the eye up and add sparkle to your eye. And my all time favorite face shape
Photo courtesy of www.thinkgeek.com
is the Oval. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING looks great on this face shape! If you are blessed to have this shape we all envy you, you may possibly the only people who can walk into a store say “oh cute!” buy the earrings and then walk out looking like a fashion model!. Chandelier earrings are flattering but most teardrop earrings with beautifully accentuate your face shape. And last, but not least, Round face shapes you need to add length!, dangling earrings work best for this face shape, long and skinny!!! Better yet, ones with a slight twist or curve will accentuate your round face and always remember to avoid button/ round earrings and hoops... NO CIRCLES!.. I hope that next time you go to buy some accessories you take into consideration the beautiful face you have been born with and embrace it by complimenting your style with some gorgeous new earrings!
With the rising cost of everything but a pay, and the desperate need for a spa day, it may seem like a dream right now, BUT with a few tips and tricks, you can make your own, at home spa. Things you will need: 2 Big Bowls Towels Epsom salts Lavender oil Citrus ( either oil or fruit) Face cleanser Toner Face mask made of honey Moisturizer Buffer Nail file Nail Polish Head band Start out taking a nice hot Bath to relax. Add some Epsom salts and a drop or two of lavender. Soak for about 15 minutes. (IF you want, you can do a homemade scrub with 2 tbsp. of coffee grinds, 1 tbsp. of sugar, and 1/ cup of massage oil, drop of
Photo courtesy of www.gayspeak.com
lavender, scrub and rinse off in shower) Once you ready, hop in a bathrobe and wrap you hair out of your face. Prepare your 2 bowls. Place one at your feet, add some hand soap, citrus, (if you showered, add Epsom salts to this bowl) and soak your feet. At the same time, place your face and sit like this for a few minutes. Lift your face and move the bowl out of the way, and take your feet out as well. Cleanse your face and apply the mask, and being to buff your feet taking away any dead skin. If you have really bad callouses, you can get a product to apply to your feet to make it smoother. Trim/ file your nails on your feet, buff the tops to make then smoother. Then apply your nails as desired. Use a top coat for extra shine. While you wait for your feet to dry, remove the face mask you have on as per directed. Toner your face and apply your moisturizer. Now you can begin to do your nails. Same as your toes. Now, just sit back and relax, and enjoy your favorite past time.
“A Collection of Beauty”
Photo Editorial shot by Photographer Brogan Brown. Models Brittany Keddy, Heather Swan, Bailey George, Brogan Brown.
Photo courtesy of www.cambyte.com
First things first, you and your partner need to sit down and talk about your dreams in order to make this happen. This is a great bonding activity. Too often all we are able to talk to our partners about are the bills and the busy “to do” lists. Creating a couples bucket list will open up the opportunity to have a positive discussion about your joint dreams. A good place to start for your couples bucket list is to talk about all the places you would like to go to. Make sure your list includes local places that you can check off the list easily, say on an upcoming weekend. For example, maybe you and your partner have been meaning to try a pub downtown and you’ve just never done it. Perhaps there’s a dinner theater place you’ve been wanting to go to but you’ve just never made the reservation. Put it on your list and make it happen!
Bucket lists are those things you want to do before you die. You know, that list of places you’ve always wanted to go to and things you’ve always wanted try. I think a bucket list is a great idea but what I’m really loving, is the idea of a couples bucket list! destinations are or how expensive, writing them down can help them come to fruition. Don’t be shy to ask your partner to include somewhere you want to go to that he or she may not love, in exchange for going somewhere you know they’d love. Just being with that special someone can make a journey fun! No bucket list is complete without the things you want to try and do. Creating this list with your partner might bring up ideas you’ve never thought of and activities you might just love. Whether it be bungee jumping or skiing in the mountains, taking a helicopter ride or checking out a Metallica show, no activity is too big or too small.
Remember, this is your couples bucket list. You and your partner should leave it as a working document that can be added to often and checked off frequently. Sometimes life can keep us so busy that we forget how important it Along with local places, your list should include those is to have that list of places we want to go and things we places you’d like to travel to that you may need a year want to do. Set aside some time this month to start your or more to save up for. No matter how far your dream couples bucket list. You won’t be sorry!
Photo courtesy of: www.quotesideas.com 1. Don’t try and change them. You met them and fell in love with them. It’s important to remember that, even when your circumstances change. Love them for who they are. 2. Laugh together. Laughter is a great tool for connecting us with our partner. Being able to enjoy a lighter moment can allow for a reduction in stress and an increase in positive feelings. Laughter is the best preventive medicine there is! 3. Make each other number one. Many things can get in the way in life work, friends and extended family - but remember that you decided to make a life with this person. They are your number one now. 4. Make a couple’s bucket list. Having plans to take on new journeys and challenges together will help to connect you. Discussing and living out your dreams together will deepen your bond. 5. Make your health a priority. Get out and exercise together. It’s always
easier with a partner. Eat healthy and support each other in healthy eating choices, the majority of the time. This way you will have a longer, healthier life together. 6. Connect physically. Life gets busy, but spending time being physically intimate is important. For some people, touch is an important way that they feel connected to their partner and loved. Make time for cuddles and nooky. 7. Connect emotionally. Share your feelings with your partner. Sharing your innermost feelings and emotions will further strengthen your connection and empathy for one another. 8. Make time for each other. It’s easier to be pulled in different directions by different people in your life. It’s harder to book time for your partner. It’s especially hard if you never used to have to book time, you always had time for one another. Sometimes, under new circumstances, it’s a must. Especially if a baby is added to the mix! Get a sitter, book a date night and spend time alone with your partner. 9. Communicate.
If you need something and you don’t let your partner know, how will they ever have the chance to show you they can do it? Tell them what you need. Listen to what they need. You’ll both be better off if you do. 10. Make big decisions together. It’s not essential for you to both decide what to have for dinner every night, or what colour the new towels should be in the spare bathroom, but it is important for you to decide the big things together. Talking about and deciding to have kids, the purchase of a new home or car, if your mother in law should move in or not - all big decisions to decide together. If you aren’t a team in your big decision making, someone is bound to be upset and hurt. Following these guidelines will help to keep your relationship healthy and strong. Of course it’s not easy to follow all of these all the time, but do your best, put in a little effort and you will see positive results in the end. Maintaining a good relationship is much easier than fixing one that has been left to crumble and break.
Long Distance Survival Guide By Elizabeth McClelland Being away from the person you love can be very tough. Living away from them can be super challenging, but it is doable. It is not for the faint at heart. If you’re willing to work hard, though, it is possible. Here are some tips that might just help you survive a long distance relationship. 1. Communicate in many different ways. It’s important that you work very hard on communicating with your long distance partner. Communicate with them more than you likely think is necessary. Daily quick messages and little “I love you’s” are a great way to let them know you are thinking of them. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, as long as your partner still knows they are safe in your heart. 2. Talk about sex (or the lack thereof). Before you leave one another, be sure to discuss how you will handle a lack of physical contact. Whether you plan to “sext” each other to keep things alive, Skype while getting hot and heavy or perhaps you will allow for an open relationship. Whatever it is that’s right for your relationship needs to be discussed long before the physical loneliness sets in. 3. Trust them. Stop being so damn insecure. If you are in a relationship with this person, then you need to trust them. It will be incredibly hard when you can’t see them, see who they are with, or see what they are doing. But, realistically, a person can cheat whether you live in the same house or thousands of kilometers apart. Choose to believe that they are being faithful. Worrying about them cheating
will only make for trouble. 4. Have planned visits. Know when you will physically see each other next. Have dates set in advance when you know you will be in each other’s arms. Knowing will help you have a countdown and will keep you looking forward to your next rendezvous. 5. Know the end date. How long will you be living apart? Will it be 1 year? 6 months? 3 years? It makes a difference to the relationship for you to know when the long distance part will be over. A lack of an end date could leave someone feeling as though they don’t know what they are working towards. Not knowing when the struggle will end, might be a struggle in itself. Being in a long distance relationship can be very tough. If you plan ahead and make a real effort to keep connected, you have a much better chance of making things work. If the relationship is worth it to you, you will likely find ways to keep each other happy and satisfied.
Photo courtesy of www.mo-am.com
Photo courtesy of www.nadinereneeonline.com
Aside from the fact that it feels incredible, did you know that sex actually has many health benefits? It’s true! And Stress reduction. below you’ll read about what those are, and why you When you have sex, endorphins are released and this should be having a lot more of it! lifts your mood. When your mood is up, your stress is down. Burns calories. Sex is known for its calorie burning capabilities. A May improve sleep. lovemaking session of about 20 minutes can burn Hormones released during sex, prolactin and oxytocin, around 100 calories. It may not be as effective as a run, are known to promote slumber. So a little romp in the but it can (and should) be way more fun! sheets may just help if you’re having trouble sleeping. It’s worth a try, right? Immunity booster. People who have sex on a regular basis, a couple of Happier! times each week or so, have been found to have a higher This may be a shocker, but people who have sex on level of the antibody Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and a regular basis, report that they are happier overall. I that is what helps you fight off cold and flus. It fights know, big surprise. But, this is definitely important for off little organisms trying to enter your body, therefore your overall health! giving your immune system a bit of a break. Definitely important to remember during cold and flu season! For the good of your health, be sure that you and your partner are having sex often. With all the health benefits Good for your heart. it offers, it really does make sense to keep your sex life Sex improves blood flow and, therefore, lowers your high on the priority list. blood pressure. This could reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WADE CARRIER
Dystrophy, My grandfather, and a good friend due to Growing up I was the “fat” girl... I was awkwardly tall, a car accident. My parents were going thru difficult with a boyish hair cut and a few...well more than a few times; I found out that the guy I was in love with was extra pounds. I had very few people in my life that I with many other women... my life was spinning out considered friends. I never hung out with the “popular” of control. I was beginning to feel like I wasn’t good crowd, I never had a boyfriend, never wore make up enough, like I shouldn’t be on this planet, no one will and my hair was always in a pony tail. I was always ever love me, everyone I love was leaving me.. I couldn’t being bullied. Thru stares, glares, whispers and to the handle it. That is when I called my aunt saying I wanted kid in my class who yelled “That’s Janna” when the to kill myself. I meet with psychologists, my doctor and teacher put up a poster of an Ape, the words crushed councilors but I could never find myself getting better. and hurt. I turned to food as my comfort and hide out I was on anti depression and anxiety medication. I felt in my basement. The dark room with the TV and my like I was in a dark small place with no light at the end game boy color helped me escape my humility. of the tunnel. After high school, I decided to join Weightwatchers and lose an amazing 30lbs. I felt awesome, fantastic and alive for once. I meet a boy who I feel in love with..Life was good. Then everything changed In 2011, I lost my childhood friend to Muscular
One day while browsing on Facebook I saw a post for the Miss Maritime International Pageant looking for girls to be delegate from the respective locations. I was a part of the local county fair years before and also was a coordinator of the same pageant for three years. With the push from one of my best friends I applied.
A few weeks later I got the call that I was now representing my hometown of Petitcodiac in the 2014 Pageant. It took a lot of hard work, dedication and help from many sponsors to get me that that night but I did it. I meet some of the most amazing people that week. I can still remember my name being called as Miss Maritime International 2014, as the tears fell from my eyes I yelled out to the crowd “I Love You Mom”. This honor has impacted my life. It has stretched me further than I ever imagined possible. It is a unique opportunity to be so inspired by others and be an inspiration at the same time. From early on I realized that my win would inspire others to search for their win to embrace their own uniqueness. Being crowned Miss Maritime was a very touching moment in my life. Being a plus size girl is not only difficult but you are treated very differently by many different people. A lot of people seen me as fat, not worth their time, not good enough, someone with no feelings or emotions and the list goes on and on. This is an occurrence that happens not only in my everyday life but millions of girls around the world. For me, winning wasn’t just about the gorgeous crown and the sash but it was for all those girls who were told they were not good enough, it was about showing that plus size girls are just the same as everyone else and deserve a chance to shine and to know they are beautiful. To have many people come up to me and say that I have inspired them, and I am role model is a pretty amazing feeling. It wasn’t until now that I realized that my life meant something. I was the voice for all those girl who were told they were not good enough, for anyone who didn’t think they would survive. I was the voice for a little girl who was bullied because she has cerbal palsy. I was making a difference in these people’s lives. A year before I thought I wasn’t good enough for one pathetic boy but now I am good enough for all these people who needed a voice. This year has been a major stepping stone in overcoming my depression. With each new day, I became a little stronger. I have learned that thousands of people in the world are battling their own demons every day. I was recently inspired by one of my favorite TV actors Jared Padalecki. He is known for his roles in Supernatural and Gilmore Girls. He lost a friend to suicide. He created the “Always keep fighting” Campaign as a way to raise money for “To Write Love on Her Arms”, a non-profit that helps those who are fighting depression, addiction, self-harm, and suicide.
This brought a whole new light into my life. For an actor, who I have admired for years to say “there is no shame in fighting every day. It’s when you give up that you lose the most important battle – the battle of wills.” That really put a lot of things into perspective for me and it made me realize that I should not be ashamed for having depression. If you haven’t already check out the “Always keep fighting” Campaign please go check it out! I could not have made it this far without the love and support of my friends and family. I am still fighting thru my battle day by day but those who love and support me are my army and keep me from losing my battle. I am proud to say that I am in full swing on trying to become a healthier me by going to the gym and having a nutritionist. I take life one day at a time. For anyone out there who is struggling please know you are not alone and to seek help, trust me your life is precious and worth. I was once told by a great man that “A Raft Will Float.”. Life is like a river, sometimes quiet and still peaceful and sometimes it is rough with rapids tossing you all around and overwhelming but the key to success in both is to always keep paddling.
This month we had the priviledge of reading Susan Stiffelman’s ‘Parenting with Prescence’. What I took from the book is that nowadays, we don’t spend enough time with our children and it’s negatively effecting them. Simply put, the world is a busy place. Both men and women are in the workforce, and unfortunately it’s our children that suffer. This isn’t to say that we need to revert back to the old days where women stayed home, quite the contrary. This means that no matter how busy you or your partner are, you need to make time to be there when your child needs you. Not only do you need to, you need to be willing to do so. The one thing kids know is sincerity, and if you don’t mean it, they can sense it. A lot of people want to have a baby, but they don’t seem to realize quite what it entails. The patience and time it takes, you can’t possibly understand until you actually have a child. In ‘Parenting with Presence’ we see that we need to get past our own impatience, and learn to balance with this new being in our lives. This book is a real eye opener!
Lilly Babineau, Editor in Chief
To see more from author Susan Stiffelman, check out her website: https://susanstiffelman.com/
Cold Quinoa Greek Salad A RECIPE FROM JENNIFER RICHARD Ingredients: 2 Cups Chicken Stock 1 Cup Quinoa 1/2 Cup Red Pepper, diced 1/2 Cup Green Pepper, diced 1/2 Cup Cucumber, diced 1/4 Cup Black Olives 1/4 Cup Green Onion, diced 1/4 Cup Red Onion, diced 3 Ounces Reduced-Fat Feta Cheese Dressing: 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic 1/2 Teaspoon Basil 1/2 Teaspoon Oregano Pepper Directions: In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Stir in quinoa. Reduce heat to medium low and cover. Cook for 15 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed. Transfer to a large bowl and cool. Stir veggies and cheese into the cooled quinoa. Whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour over quinoa mixture and toss.
www.cookitallergyfree.com
Photo courtesy of www.momsmagazine.com
Can walking really help you lose weight? The answer is yes, as long as you are combining your walking with a healthy diet and make sure that you’re keeping a decent pace. If you add just thirty minutes of brisk walking to your daily routine, you could burn up to an extra 150 calories. The more you walk and the quicker you walk will increase the calorie burn as well.
hormones. For women, deep abdominal fat is the first to go if you’re walking which is amazing!
Walking is such a great long term fitness plan. Add a diet rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables, and vitamins, and you’ll walk your way to a healthy and fit new you. When you start walking, your body knows what to do. It’s a natural motion. To maximize your burn though, Most of us tend to walk at a slower pace than is needed keep your chin up, don’t look at your feet, squeeze your to lose weight which is partly why you may notice glutes which will propel you forward, amping up your that you haven’t lost any pounds. You don’t need to be speed, and pay attention to your core. Tighten your abs a speed walker or win any races, but keeping a more and concentrate on staying tight. challenging pace than you’re used to while walking will help you shed those unwanted pounds. Add hills to make your walk more intense and burn extra calories; about 20 percent more! Swing your arms, this Good news for women- studies have shown that women will help drive you forward. Take longer strides; instead who walk with a high intensity a few times a week and of making short steps, try to increase the distance of supplement another couple of days with less fast paced your legs as you go. If you combine all of these tricks, walks will burn more abdominal fat than a woman who you’ll be walking your way to weight loss in no time. simply strolls. Even better, if you’re out for a power walk, you’ll end up burning about four times more fat! The correlation between power walking and fat burning is hard to ignore, and if you’re walking at a pace that is deemed “hard”, you’re going to release more fat burning
We all want to be “that” person; confident, self-assured, and successful. The person that faces their fears head on, that instills confidence in others, that just takes life by the horns. No matter what comes up, they have the confidence to blow through it and not think twice. For some of us though, it doesn’t come that easily. Here are 5 easy ways to increase your confidence and help you feel better about yourself. 1. Stay away from negativity. Negative breeds negativity so try to surround yourself with positive things and positive people. Sit down and evaluate your circle of friends and family and weed out the ones that continually drag you down. There’s no need to keep anything toxic in your life and you’ll find that as soon as you start with a more upbeat, positive circle surrounding you, you’ll start to feel happier, stronger, and much better.
Not only will this help you become a healthier you physically, it will help lead you along the path to a better mental state, thus increasing your confidence.
4. Keep a daily reminder of just how awesome you are. Leave post-it notes for yourself all around the house telling you you’re great. It might sound silly but it’s a great way to remember just what makes you- you. Walking by the bathroom and seeing a note you left saying that you’re fabulous might just be the pick-me2. Get to know yourself. Truly. What scares you? up you need to instill that last ounce of self-confidence! What makes you sad? When you can zone in on some of the things that bring you down, you’ll be able to start to 5. Jump out of your comfort zone. Just doing change the things you have power over and get on your something different than you’re used to will give you a way to being a better you. What’s holding you back? Are zap of confidence that will make your soar. Jump out of you able to change your frame of mind to be able to dive a plane, paint a picture, write a poem, go sing karaoke; into something new? Something exciting that could anything that will make you smile, send some happy change your whole outlook? Give it a try and things will vibes to your brain and lift your spirits! start to look up. 3. Get physical. Whether the reason for your lack of confidence is appearance related, working out, exercising, running, dancing, swimming, and walking are all great ways to make you feel better about yourself.
DO WE NEED
MULTI-VITAMINS
BY JENNIFER RICHARD
If you’re anything like me, you remember taking vitamins as a child. Flintstones chewables anyone? I don’t even know if our parents questioned it, they were just supplementing our bodies with the minerals that it needed. Vitamins and minerals can be very expensive yet we still buy them, thinking that our bodies need them to thrive and survive. More and more studies are proving however, that them isn’t always beneficial. Supplementing daily with certain vitamins and minerals may actually cause your body harm.
multivitamins are the most popular supplement being sold right now, people think that they’re supposed to take them. There is very little evidence to support this. Because a multivitamin is just that; multiple vitamins and minerals, and every multi varies in recipe and make-up, it’s hard to say which vitamins and minerals are actually doing your body good.
Multivitamins often contain at least one hundred percent or more of your recommended daily value of Certain groups of people can benefit from taking vitamin A vitamin C, iron, AND calcium. The only way vitamins as they can offer health benefits. Pregnant you would need any or all of these would be if you simply women need folic acid, young children can often weren’t eating ANY good nutritional food. That’s hardly benefit from extra vitamin D, and the elderly often need true for most of us, so adding extra just isn’t beneficial. calcium or magnesium supplements. Unfortunately, a As long as you keep a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, healthy person taking vitamins “just because”, to prevent dairy, proteins and grains, you should very easily have a disease, or to make up for bad eating habits may actually healthy intake of all of your recommended daily values. do more harm to their system than good. Because daily Anything more is overkill and unnecessary.
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